Last year. during the last weekend in July, we had just moved out of our house. It was being knocked down,It was being pulled apart. The stairs were going and the narrow, narrow doorways and corridors were going.

My house renovations started this time, last year.

The initial budget we set aside was $100,000. We've stretched it out to almost $200,000 (as you do in home renovations!). The mortgage on the house is frightful, but like everyone else, we will plod along and we will get there.

Without the incredible support of so many tradespeople and supporting businesses, we would not have the house we have today. Without their support, we would have managed an extension of the living room, out in to the courtyard.We would still have had the old bathroom, where I did not fit with my wheelchair or toilet/shower seat. We would still have had steps inside the house. We would not have our deck and we would still have a very old kitchen and that narrower than normal walkway.

Because of the support we were given, we were able to do the whole house. We met some truly beautiful people. People who saw Dexter as the determined, brave, cheeky little boy he is.

During the renovations, we learned a lot. We knocked down brick walls and learned to throw bricks great distances! We cut out old timber structures and replaced flooring. Skirting boards were hammered in and we got pretty good with drills and drop saws. Outside walls were grinded down and the rendered walls were painted.We got pretty handy with the paintbrushes and set up ladders in the weirdest of places! We loved it. We loved learning. We were at the house almost every weekend, doing bits and pieces. It was so rewarding. Lenice made countless chocolate chip biscuits and what seemed like endless lunches. Dexter's sister learned the tradies by name and we told her all the things they were doing. She liked thanking them, when she saw them, and often spoke about them. Dexter loved the noise. He knew we were building him a home he could live in. He knew most of the people were offering their time and expertise, their tools and products. They spoke to him; addressing him and responding to him.

We'd gone public with the idea of renovating Dexter's house with love and Mate's Rates a year before we moved out, There was a lot of planning to be done, people to ask on board the project and materials and paperwork to be sorted. The idea had started to be planned six months before we went public with it.

It was an amazing time and Dexter's house is now his home. The open plan living area leaves plenty of room for his physiotherapy exercises. The hallways are wide enough for his wheelchair and he has a ramp.

To everyone involved - you are amazing and you have given Dexter more than we could ever say. Happy One Year 'Doing it for Dexter Anniversary!

​Can't remember what the old house looks like? Can't remember the changes that were made? Check this out: (maybe with the volume turned down)

What a surprise we got!Andrew from South Coast Clothes Lines was at the house again. He has installed a brand new clothes line! And, he even left us a bag of pegs! He is lovely.He didn't charge us. We are so grateful!He just asked that we keep him in mind, if we know anyone who needs a clothes line! (Help us spread the word?)

We haven't had a clothes line for more than six months, so this is a great day!

Andrew has been really busy lately, which reflects how friendly and professional he is.

About a year ago, Andrew contacted us and said he would love to come on board Doing it for Dexter and would love to help out with a clothes line and a mail box. It was lovely to meet him.

​If you need a clothes line or a mail box, we would definitely recommend Andrew and South Coast Clothes Lines.

I have a challenge for you! Because my walker is 3rd hand, it obviously didn't come with all the extras I need. I'm doing really well in it, but the 1 extra I need is called anti-roll back wheels - so that when I take a step, the wheels don't roll back (as I get stronger I won't need this). We have a quote to get them done, but it's a little bit expensive! Does anyone know what I could use?!

We'd like to thank the man from the park.We didn't speak to him. We didn't even make eye contact.But, to the man in the park... Thank You!

I was lying on the mat, which is a pretty typical thing for me to do, at the park.I always have a go on a swing and sometimes go down the slide or try something else. And then, I lie on the mat and enjoy being outside.I kick and move around.

Some times, kids don't understand that.Sometimes, kids stand and stare.And stare.We know that it's because they don't understand about me. We get it, but we don't like it.

What usually happens, is this: We let them look for a little while, then hope they run off and play. They usually do.If they don't, we sometimes ask them to go and play.

Well, this one time... the kids stayed and stared and stared and stared.We asked them to go play. They stared.We asked them to go play. They stared.Their parents were sitting just behind us, and the kids were less than two metres from us, staring. We asked them to go play... but they kept staring.

And then, the man in the park noticed.He didn't look at us. He didn't speak to us.He spoke to the kids. He asked them to go play.And they did.They stopped staring and we could go back to enjoying the day.

To the man in the park... Thank you.

To the parents of kids who are curious about me... Please don't let them stand so close and just stare at me. Encourage them to ask questions. Or, lead them away and have a quiet chat with them. Tell them staring is not very friendly and that people don't like it. Tell them my brain got hurt when I was little and that I love the park, but I can't run around the way they can. Tell them I can understand them, if they want to say hi, but that I might not have the words to chat with them. ​Tell them I'm strong and determined. But please, don't let them stare.

Check me out, doing some 'jumps'! I got to ride a different horse today. Her name is 'Little Min'.When I stood next to her, I was taller than her middle!I liked Little Min and I think she likes me too. (She likes to walk slow and rest a lot!)The Riding for the Disabled volunteers who work with me are amazing.They do stretches with me and change my position.They talk to me and show me different things.They always make sure I get a good pat of the horse, too and they clean the horses hair away from my mouth!They are even picking up on my way of saying 'that one', without anyone telling them! They acknowledge my 'talking'.I love my horse riding days (and, Mum is even getting braver and pats the horses!)

Today, I was hoisted up on to some ropes and cables... and, I was like Superman!I went on a flying fox!It was so much fun.

I was invited by my Unicorn Friend and her awesome Mum. They invited us to go on an Optimum Experience at their Fitzroy Falls Conference and Adventure Centre.

​I loved it! (Videos at the end.)

First, I tried it in my wheelchair. Everyone made sure I was strapped in and that my wheelchair was securely attached to the ropes and cables.They all made sure I was ok.And then... they lifted me up. And up and up!And then... they let me go!I flew along the wire! I was flying like Superman in my wheelchair!It was awesome. I loved it.I had a few goes on the flying fox in my wheelchair.

And then, they decided to let me have a go without my chair!They strapped me in. They made sure my head was ok.​They made sure I was safe. And then... they lifted me up and up and up... and let me go!I was so happy!I was flying!I was smiling and laughing and talking and flying!Everyone was cheering and helping me have a lot of fun. This was so great!Thanks so much to all of the team at Optimum Experiences. Thanks to Brad and Alistair, for making sure I was safe and having a great time. Thanks to Hana, who arranged this as a part of my birthday present. I love that you see me and have no limits on what I can do.I love that everyone recognised that I was talking to them. I love that Alistair was teaching me to hold on to the blue rope... and not just assume I wouldn't be able to do it. I love that everyone was there to celebrate and have fun. I loved it.

Can you see how far I went?

Thank you!!

Here are some videos...

Optimum Experiences started in 1991, providing Outdoor Adventure Activities to Schools & Team Building Experiences to Corporate, Sporting & Social groups.Get in touch with your wilderness explorer and sense of wonder with high ropes course, abseiling and rock climbing courses, and canoeing and kayaking adventures. Make your adventure into a bonding experience, or team building activity by bringing a select group of friends, family, or coworkers to experience the outdoor adventure with you! You can even host a party with us. For a memorable Christmas or birthday party, let us help you plan a fun filled day off outdoor adventure from land to water and everything in between. We host adventures for kids as young as kindergarteners! We also offer a conference venue to hold meetings and allow you to rent our location(s) out as wedding venues for the perfect wedding in the wilderness. (See more)71 Ryans Lane, Wildes Meadow, NSWph: (02) 4886 4541​Visit them on facebook and their website(Logo photo credit: Optimum Experiences Outdoor Adventures facebook page)

Something pretty exciting happened today!Mum and Dad went for a drive and picked up a new walker for me! It's not actually new. Mum found it on Facebook.It was a lot cheaper than if we brought it brand new. (New, this walker would cost over $7000. We got it for over $700. We are the third owners.)I tried this exact walker, back in March, but funding wouldn't be looked at until the end of September and then, if it was approved, I still wouldn't have gotten it until the start of 2017! I like my new walker!